Moving Forward Together in Wellness

VANCOUVER, Dec. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq,
British Columbia Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid, and Grand Chief
Doug Kelly, Chair of the BC First Nations Health Council signed a
Health Partnership Accord today re-affirming their long-term commitment
and shared vision for a better, more responsive and integrated health
system for First Nations in British Columbia.

The Health Partnership Accord is a commitment of the British Columbia
Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health Governance
(Framework Agreement) signed by the parties in October 2011. The
Framework Agreement is guiding the transfer of responsibility for
design and delivery of all federally funded health programs and
services for British Columbia First Nations, currently administered by
Health Canada, to the First Nations Health Authority.

"In partnership with the First Nations Health Authority, the First
Nations Health Council and the BC Ministry of Health, the Government of
Canada will support more decision-making by First Nations and better
health for First Nations individuals, families and communities in
British Columbia," said Minister Aglukkaq.

The First Nations Health Authority will incorporate First Nations'
cultural knowledge, beliefs, values and models of healing into the
re-design and delivery of health programs to better meet the needs of
First Nations communities with their guidance.

"The Health Partnership Accord advances our commitment to First Nations
health care by collaborating with BC First Nations on the health of
their people. We are proud to further strengthen our tripartite
relationship with the federal government, the First Nations Health
Council, and the First Nations Health Authority to better meet the
needs of First Nations," said Minister MacDiarmid.

"This Accord is significant for a number of reasons. It commits each of
the partners to continue to work together in a good way. We won't need
to refer to this document when times are easy, only when we are in
times of difficulty," said Grand Chief Doug Kelly. "We should always
remind ourselves and our partners why we have come together - to make
the lives of our people and the conditions of our communities better.
We are showing others how to work well in partnership and to stay
focused on why we do our work. This Health Partnership Accord will keep
us working together in a good way."

Since the signing of the Framework Agreement in October 2011, the First
Nations Health Council has been expanding working relationships with BC
regional health authorities. All five regional health authorities have
signed Partnership Accords committing to develop a closer working
relationship with local First Nations that will support alignment of
health services provided by local First Nations health organizations,
the province and the First Nations Health Authority to better meet the
needs of First Nations.

The transfer of resources is expected to take place in phases, starting
in July 2013 and ending in October 2013. This approach aims to support
a smooth transfer of responsibilities and avoid disruptions to First
Nations clients and Health Canada staff affected by the upcoming
changes.

For a full copy of the accord, please visit the First Nation Health
Council website.